- United States
- Calif.
- Letter
Newsom's callous political stunt against unhoused Californians
To: Sen. Laird, Asm. Addis, Gov. Newsom
From: A constituent in Grover Beach, CA
August 10, 2024
I am appalled by Governor Newsom's political stunt of imposing a statewide crackdown on homeless Californians. Recent comprehensive nationwide research shows that a majority of homeless people, including in California, become unhoused in the communities they were already living in. We know that there is a neverending flow of people becoming homeless in this state because of the scarcity imposed by NIMBYism. Rather than giving in to a panic, the state should be putting its efforts into building more homes and shelters.
Newsom's order amounts to a declaration that if a household can't keep up with the outrageous cost of living in California, then they aren't allowed to live in the state. Many people in encampments are there as a last resort.
The problem is that it's too hard to build in this state, but Newsom would have us scapegoat the most vulnerable residents of the state. It is shameful, and I would like to see him punished for it politically. I encourage Sen. Laird, Asm. Addis, and other state legislators to push back against this.